I hope this finds all of you with things well under control, looking forward to spending Christmas with family and/or friends. I'm a little behind here. Architect of my own dilemma, I admit. In the last 18 hours I have taken 4 more custom orders--once again pushing house cleaning, gift wrapping, grocery shopping etc. to the back burner. It'll all get done...eventually.
The requests for custom work this year have been numerous, and I thank each and every one of you who has honored me with your orders. I love the stories that come with each custom piece. The names of loved ones that I get to stamp. The locations of meaningful places. The birthstones, favorite colors or "I need something to match..." design requests. Creating a custom piece with a particular recipient in mind brings an emotional connection to the work that is gratifying in an entirely different way. Thank you for entrusting these jobs to me.
Because I have been so busy, I haven't had time to create any new "Piece of the Week" designs, nor to do any new PotW messages. I resolve to get back to both after the Holidays. Until then, please allow an encore run of a message from Christmas past....
I present to you: "Nativity Scenes"
Scene 1:
Nathaniel was 3, I think and we were on our way home from his daycare provider one dark December evening. As we did each morning and evening, we passed a lovely little country church, which had a beautiful nativity scene displayed on its lawn.
Having read Nathaniel a children's version of the Christmas Story, I stopped the car, pointed at the nativity scene, and I said "Look, Nathaniel, it's baby Jesus!"
To which he replied, "Yup, just laying there in his sweaty clothes."
It's something of a Christmas miracle that we didn't end up in a ditch, I was laughing so hard. I surely must have been under the protection of a Guardian Angel that evening. One with a priceless sense of humor who just had to point out that 3 year olds don't see any difference between 'swaddling' and 'sweaty'. I never see an outdoor nativity scene without flashing back to that evening.
Scene 2:
When Nathaniel was 5, I learned the Angel's name... We were at Andrew's Mom's house, (whom we have lost since this was first written). Nathaniel was playing with what I have come to regard as what may be "The Original Action Figures". With that grand-motherly look of equal parts amusement and annoyance, My-My and the rest of us were watching Nathaniel re-arrange the nativity scene.
In his version of Bethlehem, the Wise Men had been job-shifted into the role of shepherds (since they were on bended knee they weren't very 'action' like, I suppose, and were perfectly well suited for tending the flock by night when all the sheep were asleep anyway). The shepherds were peaking out between the balusters of My-My's staircase on some kind of commando mission. And the Angel was flying laps around the kitchen table (powered by Nate, who was powered by candy canes, no doubt). Baby Jesus, was, as you guess, still lying around in his sweaty clothes.
"Now, Chicky-Bicky", said My-My (I hope he doesn't find out I let this nickname out of the bag) "Who do you have there?"
"Gloria", he said as he did a fly-by of the table.
"Gloria???", we asked.
"Yes, that's her name."
"Why do you think her name is Gloria?"
"It says so on her name tag".
Indeed, the Angel was holding a banner between her outstretched hands that said "Gloria". He must have asked someone what it said, had the question answered to his satisfaction and decided it must be her name. So now, the Angel in any nativity I see is, of course, "Gloria".
Scene 3:
I was talking to my sister on the phone one day before Christmas, and there was a bit of a ruckus in the background. When I asked her what it was, she turned to my then 4 year old nephew and said "What do you have there?"
To which he replied, "A helicopter with Baby Jesus in it! Mary and Joseph are in the airplane!"
It was a short conversation because we couldn't stop laughing. I just wish I was there to see it.
Like I said, the "Original Action Figures", once again escaping the confines of the creche, thanks to the pure, uninhibited spirit of a child.
As I finish writing this, it occurs to me that 3 of my all-time favorite Christmas memories center around the Nativity. Not Santa. Not presents. Not the hustle and bustle. Just the gift of a child, bringing joy and light into our lives. Like that very first Christmas.
There is no Piece of the Week this week----Just a wish that all of you may be surrounded by family, friends and your own precious memories of Christmases past.
Until Next Year- God Bless us, Everyone.
Kim
PS--In re-reading this, I can't help but think of those CT families who have been robbed of seeing theirbeloved littles beam with innocent joy during the days, weeks and years ahead. Please, keep them in your prayers. And hug your own littles tight every chance you get.
